Supervisor Dimitrijevic Calls for Menstrual Equity
Dimitrijevic proposed amending the 2019 county budget to address the lack of equity in hygiene produccts.
MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee County Board’s Finance and Audit Committee unanimously recommended (7-0) a proposal by Supervisor Marina Dimitrijevic to include menstrual products among the basic hygiene items made freely available for use in Milwaukee County restrooms.
Dimitrijevic proposed amending the 2019 county budget to address the lack of equity in hygiene products. Along with toilet paper, paper towels, and soap, tampons and pads will be stocked in all restrooms in the county’s two busiest facilities: the courthouse and the Marcia P. Coggs Human Services Center.
“We took an important step towards equity today by providing feminine hygiene products in our two busiest buildings that provide services to the public. Menstrual equity is gender equity and I hope the inclusion of these items becomes a model for private facility restrooms to follow so that every woman is prepared to succeed each day,” said Dimitrijevic.
Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman, member of the Finance Committee and doctor of obstetrics and gynecology, spoke in favor of the amendment.
“As the Wisconsin Chair of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, I strongly endorse and commend Supervisor Dimitrijevic on taking this long overdue move toward equity. This proposal helps men, women, and families meet a basic human need and I am proud to support it,” said Wasserman.
In a show of support for the Dimitrijevic’s proposal, Supervisors Eddie Cullen, Sequanna Taylor, and Wasserman requested to be listed as co-sponsors of the amendment.
Jan Wilberg, Founder of the Time of the Month Club, Inc. which collects donated menstrual products for homeless people also expressed support.
“This budget amendment addresses an essential basic need for women in our community. We so appreciate the Finance committee’s unanimous support for menstrual equity,” said Wilberg.
Members of the public will have an opportunity to speak directly to the County Board of Supervisors about the 2019 county budget at the Board’s annual public hearing on Monday, October 29 at 6:00PM at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in Milwaukee.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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